RYANAIR NOVICE CHASE (GRADE 1)

JUST as he has been all season, Footpad was in a league of his own as he put his six rivals to the sword in typically brilliant style to cement his position as one of the finest novice chasers that Willie Mullins has ever trained.

From the moment he made his chasing debut at Navan last November Footpad looked something special over fences. Indeed he followed that initial success with a Grade 1-winning spree which means that his first season outside of novice company cannot come soon enough.

As he lined up in search of a fourth successive top-level success the Simon Munir and Isaac Souede-owned gelding appeared to face a straightforward task and, in truth, there was never an anxious moment for the Arkle winner.

The 2/5 favourite made the running for Daryl Jacob, who also steered him to victory at Navan, and he produced his usual mixture of bold, efficient and accurate jumping. For much of the race he was tracked by old rival Petit Mouchoir, and Castlegrace Paddy moved up with a potential challenge after three out, but with imperceptible effort Footpad left them toiling from the next.

He needed just a shake of the reins to make sure of victory between the last two fences and he crossed the line with a dozen lengths to spare over the patiently ridden English raider Optimus Prime. There was a further five lengths back to the winner’s stablemate Asthuria.

“I actually think he’s improved since Cheltenham. I had to give him a break because he just wasn’t right for Aintree but I think he’s gone out and produced as good performance there as he has done all season,” said Mullins, whose charge brought part-owner Simon Munir to Ireland for the first time.

“What more can I say about him? Where he goes next season will depend on his connections but he’s a horse that could easily go out in trip – we have a nice class of two-milers at home in the likes of Great Field and Min.

“I thought that today his jumping technique meant that he was much bigger at a few of his fences but I think he was just very well in himself.

“Daryl said it just took him a little while to settle – because he was just so well in himself – and he felt it was push button stuff once he did settle. I would doubt very much if we will go to France with him,” concluded Mullins.